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09-04-2008, 11:32 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: me & my three HANDSOME grandsons!!Jacksonville, Arkansas
Posts: 354
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Bummed about my Sis
Ladies and Gents:
She came through her surgery like a champ. She had a small incision around her nipple, and another in her armpit. Piece of cake.
Yesterday, she got the results of her path. 6 out of 7 nodes positive. Plus, her surgeon and pathologist are still mulling over the report to try to make sense of some of the "abnormal" cells that were found. They said that her margins were clear.
This seems strange to me because it was so "microscopic" that she had to have an MRI guided biopsy even to find the cancer. HOW could it have spread to nodes ALREADY??? I'm thinking there is something else going on in there and i'm freaking. It's okay when it was me, but this is my SISTER!! It's different!!
I have a whole new respect for you guys that are caretakers. Any words of wisdom?
CONCERNED SIS
p.s. I had my second MUGA today and it was 65%!! Much better than my first one! Go figure!
__________________
Terri B.
46 yrs. young
Dx IDC 3/6/08
1.5 cm & .6 cm grade III, Stage IIA
es/pr- Her2+++, 9/9 richardson
Double Mast w/expanders 4-14-08
3/9 nodes positive.
additional excision rt breast 4-25-08
weekly T/H x 12 (6-2-08) Done!
FEC x4 (9-8-08) Last one 11-10-08!
Herceptin complete 8/10/09!!
33 RADS DONE 2/13/09!
rt. breast biopsy 3/20/09 .. B9!!
reconstruction complete!
DEEEEEEported on 5/19/10!!
almost 5 YEARS NED!!
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09-04-2008, 12:35 PM
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#2
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Member
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 22
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Hi Terri, You've answered several of posts for advice and have found your words of wisdom comforting. I'm sorry about your sister, I wish there had been no node involvement or better yet no cancer. You will be a great source of strength for your sister. Prayers & Blessings for you both.
__________________
Maria
6/2008 1.1cm,er/pr-,her2+
7/2008 lumpectomy,neg. nodes
8/2008 port
8/2008 1st of 12 taxol/herceptin
Just getting started...
Last edited by mariapiedra; 09-04-2008 at 12:38 PM..
Reason: oops, wasn't finished
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09-04-2008, 02:39 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: indianapolis, indiana
Posts: 1,544
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My mugas went up too, so no problem there. Hope that things go good for your sister. Is she er/pr+ or her2 +?
__________________
dxd 9-04, lumpectomy,
st 1, gr 3, er,pr-, her2 +,
2 tac,33 rads,6 cmf
1 yr herceptin,
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09-04-2008, 04:28 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Connecticut
Posts: 2,077
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Hi Terri! I'm glad to hear about your latest MUGA scan. You hang in there, girl, and keep doing what you're doing. I'm glad you sis had a "smooth" surgery. My advice to you, and her, is to keep after those docs, and if you haven't done so already, start a notebook/journal with all info. you receive and jot down all questions that you have. Keep pressing all of your medical providers for answers that make sense. You have educated yourself about your condition, Terri, and if your stamina and situation permits, do the same with your sister's particulars. The more you know and can do and get "hands on", the less helpless and panicky you get. If I were you, I would even ask my own docs and nurses about Sis's situation. I used to pump everyone for information, even the janitor mopping the floor in the chemo. room. There's no such thing as too much info. You gather it, and sort through it, and discard the BS.
__________________
For Nicola
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09-04-2008, 05:00 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Morris, IL
Posts: 3,507
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Terri
Glad to hear about the increase in your Muga...you go girl.
Sorry that there were so many positive nodes for your sis...I know you will keep on top of things for her...and get all the documents and ask all the right questions...she is so lucky to have you!!!
__________________
"Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle."
Hugs & Blessings
Sheila
Diagnosed at age 49.99999 2/21/2002 via Mammography (Calcifications)
Core Biopsy 2/22/02
L. Mastectomy 2/25/2002
Stage 1, 0.7cm IDC, Node Neg from 19 nodes Her2+++ ER PR Neg
6/2003 Reconstruction W/ Tissue Expander, Silicone Implant
9/2003 Stage IV with Mets to Supraclavicular nodes
9/2003 Began Herceptin every 3 weeks
3/2006 Xeloda 2500mg/Herceptin for recurrence to neck nodes
3/2007 Added back the Xeloda with Herceptin for continued mets to nodes
5/2007 Taken Off Xeloda, no longer working
6/14/07 Taxol/Herceptin/Avastin
3/26 - 5/28/08 Taxol Holiday Whopeeeeeeeee
5/29 2008 Back on Taxol w Herceptin q 2 weeks
4/2009 Progression on Taxol & Paralyzed L Vocal Cord from Nodes Pressing on Nerve
5/2009 Begin Rx with Navelbine/Herceptin
11/09 Progression on Navelbine
Fought for and started Tykerb/Herceptin...nodes are melting!!!!!
2/2010 Back to Avastin/Herceptin
5/2010 Switched to Metronomic Chemo with Herceptin...Cytoxan and Methotrexate
Pericardial Window Surgery to Drain Pericardial Effusion
7/2010 Back to walking a mile a day...YEAH!!!!
9/2010 Nodes are back with a vengence in neck
Qualified for TDM-1 EAP
10/6/10 Begin my miracle drug, TDM-1
Mixed response, shrinking internal nodes, progression skin mets after 3 treatments
12/6/10 Started Halaven (Eribulen) /Herceptin excellent results in 2 treatments
2/2011 I CELEBRATE my 9 YEAR MARK!!!!!!!!!!!!!
7/5/11 begin Gemzar /Herceptin for node progression
2/8/2012 Gemzar stopped, Continue Herceptin
2/20/2012 Begin Tomo Radiation to Neck Nodes
2/21/2012 I CELEBRATE 10 YEARS
5/12/2012 BeganTaxotere/ Herceptin is my next miracle for new node progression
6/28/12 Stopped Taxotere due to pregression, Started Perjeta/Herceptin
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09-04-2008, 06:44 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,851
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Terri,
Sorry to hear your sister. It does seem unusual that the tumor was very small, yet there were positive nodes. She's in my prayers.
I'm glad your muga score went up. I always sweat that out, so I know it's a relief when the score is good.
Joan
__________________
Diagnosed stage 2b in July 2003 (2.3 cm, HER2+, ER-/PR-, 7+ nodes). Treated with mastectomy (with immediate DIEP flap reconstruction), AC + T/Herceptin (off label). Cancer advanced to lung in Jan. 2007 (1 cm nodule). Started Herceptin every 3 weeks. Lung wedge resection April 2007. Cancer recurred in lung April 2008. RFA of lung in August 2008. 2nd annual brain MRI in Oct. 2008 discovered 2.6 cm cystic tumor in left frontal lobe. Craniotomy Oct. 2008 (ER-/PR-/HER2-) followed by targeted radiation (IMRT). Coughing up blood Feb. 2009. Thoractomy July 2009 to cut out fungal ball of common soil fungus (aspergillus) that grew in the RFA cavity (most likely inhaled while gardening). No cancer, only fungus. Removal of tiny melanoma from upper left arm, plus sentinel lymph node biopsy in Feb. 2016. Guardant Health liquid biopsy in Feb. 2016 showed mutations in 4 subtypes of TP53. Repeat of Guardant Health biopsy in Jana. 2021 showed 3 TP53 mutations, BRCA1 mutation and CHEK2 mutation. Invitae genetic testing showed negative for all of these. Living with MBC since 2007. Stopped Herceptin Hylecta (injection) treatment in March 2020. Recent 2023 annual CT of chest, abdomen and pelvis and annual brain MRI showed NED. Praying for NED forever!!
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09-04-2008, 07:25 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Portage, IN
Posts: 198
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Terri
I was in the same situation as your sister. My breast tumor was very small and yet I had many lymph nodes that were positive. You and your sister are in my prayers.
__________________
10/15/07: Diagnosed at age 46 lymph node removal (2)
ER/PR - Her2 +++
11/07: Port Installed
11/07 - 1/08: AC
1/30/08: Right Mast Stage lllC
2/28/08: Start Taxol and Herceptin weekly.
5/15/08: Finished Taxol
8/12/08: Finished 33 Rads
1/29/09: Finished Herceptin
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09-04-2008, 08:08 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Stockton, NJ
Posts: 4,179
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Dear Terri
I am so sorry about your sister. I agree, our situations could be better but I never, ever want any of my sisters, brother, children, husband to get cancer or any life threatening disease. When first diagnosed, I prayed to God that it didn't matter what happened to me, just let everybody else be alright with their health and the outcome of mine.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your sister.
__________________
Kind regards
Becky
Found lump via BSE
Diagnosed 8/04 at age 45
1.9cm tumor, ER+PR-, Her2 3+(rt side)
2 micromets to sentinel node
Stage 2A
left 3mm DCIS - low grade ER+PR+Her2 neg
lumpectomies 9/7/04
4DD AC followed by 4 DD taxol
Used Leukine instead of Neulasta
35 rads on right side only
4/05 started Tamoxifen
Started Herceptin 4 months after last Taxol due to
trial results and 2005 ASCO meeting & recommendations
Oophorectomy 8/05
Started Arimidex 9/05
Finished Herceptin (16 months) 9/06
Arimidex Only
Prolia every 6 months for osteopenia
NED 18 years!
Said Christopher Robin to Pooh: "You must remember this: You're braver than you believe and stronger than you seem and smarter than you think"
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09-05-2008, 04:17 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 889
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Terri, sorry about your sister, but at least she has you to support her and is not going through this alone. I will pray for you both.
__________________
dx aug 03 invasive dcis 1 cm
er/pr/her2+
bcs 8/4/03
bcs 8/21/03 0/16 nodes
tx 4x ca 36 rad tam
postmenopausal 06 aromasin
sept 07 biopsy node in neck
muga/pet/cat/bone mets to lungs nodes and liver stage iv
tx hki-272
tx not working switched to taxol herceptin
Taxol not working switched to navelbine
navelbine is causing bad neuropathy
starting gemzar
gemzar quit on me now on Ixempra due to increasing number and size of liver mets
another progression starting tykerb/xeloda
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09-05-2008, 11:15 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: me & my three HANDSOME grandsons!!Jacksonville, Arkansas
Posts: 354
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Thanks all for the well wishes. You have, once again, pulled me back down to earth.
It's very easy for me to become a screaming mimi when it comes to my family. This really bites.
__________________
Terri B.
46 yrs. young
Dx IDC 3/6/08
1.5 cm & .6 cm grade III, Stage IIA
es/pr- Her2+++, 9/9 richardson
Double Mast w/expanders 4-14-08
3/9 nodes positive.
additional excision rt breast 4-25-08
weekly T/H x 12 (6-2-08) Done!
FEC x4 (9-8-08) Last one 11-10-08!
Herceptin complete 8/10/09!!
33 RADS DONE 2/13/09!
rt. breast biopsy 3/20/09 .. B9!!
reconstruction complete!
DEEEEEEported on 5/19/10!!
almost 5 YEARS NED!!
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09-11-2008, 02:45 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: me & my three HANDSOME grandsons!!Jacksonville, Arkansas
Posts: 354
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Sis starts chemo on monday.. same regimen that i was on: weekly taxol (minus the herceptin). Then she will do FEC just like me.
We will both be doing this on Monday, so there will be times that i will actually be doing chemo with my sis!!
HOW CRAZY IS THIS??? SOMEBODY PINCH ME PLEASE!!
__________________
Terri B.
46 yrs. young
Dx IDC 3/6/08
1.5 cm & .6 cm grade III, Stage IIA
es/pr- Her2+++, 9/9 richardson
Double Mast w/expanders 4-14-08
3/9 nodes positive.
additional excision rt breast 4-25-08
weekly T/H x 12 (6-2-08) Done!
FEC x4 (9-8-08) Last one 11-10-08!
Herceptin complete 8/10/09!!
33 RADS DONE 2/13/09!
rt. breast biopsy 3/20/09 .. B9!!
reconstruction complete!
DEEEEEEported on 5/19/10!!
almost 5 YEARS NED!!
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09-11-2008, 05:08 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: indianapolis, indiana
Posts: 1,544
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At least you'll both have support!
__________________
dxd 9-04, lumpectomy,
st 1, gr 3, er,pr-, her2 +,
2 tac,33 rads,6 cmf
1 yr herceptin,
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09-15-2008, 12:48 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: RHODE ISLAND
(Ed getting me a latte on 2nd Cancerversary Cruise 2008)
'BELIEVE': To accept as true or real, To have faith in, To presume
ALWAYS BELIEVE
Posts: 2,999
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Terri
Anything new in your sister's journey? Just thinking about my Sweeties here and sis has been on the ole mind lately. Holding you both close and sending loving, healing energy to you both!!>>Believe51
__________________
9/7/06Husband 50yrs=StageIV IBC/HER2+,BoneMets10/06TaxotereX10,'H'1X wk,Zometa,Tamoxifen4/12/07Last Tax5/18/07Pet=Rapid Cell Activity,No Organ Mets,Lytic Lesions,Degeneration,Some Bone Repair5/07ChemoFail6/01/07Pleural Thoracentisis=Effusions,NoMalignantCells6/19/07+7/2/07DFCI
6/25/07BrainMRI=BrainMets,Many<9mm7/10/07WBR/PelvisRad37.5Gx15&Nutritionist8/19/07T/X9/20/07BrainMRI=2<2mm10/6/07Pet=BoneProgression
10/24/07ChemoFail11/9/07A/Cx10,EndTam12/7/07Faslodex12/10/07Muga7512/13/07BlasticLesions1/7/08BrainMRI=Clear4/1/08Pet=BoneImprovement,
NoProgression,Stable4/7/08BrainPerfect5/16/08Last A/C8/26/08BrainMets=10(<9mm)9/10/08Gamma10/30/08Met=5mm12/19/08Gamma5mets5
12/22/08SpinalMets1/14/09SpinalRads2/17/09BrainMRI=NoNewMets4/20/09BoneScan5/14/09Ixempra6/1/09BrainMRI=NumerousMets6/24/09DFCIw/DrBurstein6/26/09Continue
Ixempra/Faslodex/Zometa~TM now lower7/17/09Stop Ixempra By Choice9/21/09HOSPICE10/16/09Earned His Deserved Wings And Halo=37 Month Fight w/Stage 4 IBC, Her2+++,My Hero!!
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09-15-2008, 02:33 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: me & my three HANDSOME grandsons!!Jacksonville, Arkansas
Posts: 354
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Funny you should ask!!
She started chemo today (taxol weekly x 12). I was at work enjoying my monday off (treatment) and thinking about her. How was she doing, how she was tolerating it, worrying about her getting her port (tomorrow) and all her scans (Friday) WHEW!! Well, while i was doing all this thinking, Sis texts me and said "where are you? Aren't you supposed to have blood drawn today??"
Ha!
I was so wrapped up in what was happening to her, that i forgot my own appointment for labs!
Thank you for asking!
__________________
Terri B.
46 yrs. young
Dx IDC 3/6/08
1.5 cm & .6 cm grade III, Stage IIA
es/pr- Her2+++, 9/9 richardson
Double Mast w/expanders 4-14-08
3/9 nodes positive.
additional excision rt breast 4-25-08
weekly T/H x 12 (6-2-08) Done!
FEC x4 (9-8-08) Last one 11-10-08!
Herceptin complete 8/10/09!!
33 RADS DONE 2/13/09!
rt. breast biopsy 3/20/09 .. B9!!
reconstruction complete!
DEEEEEEported on 5/19/10!!
almost 5 YEARS NED!!
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09-15-2008, 06:55 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: WA State
Posts: 199
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Terri,
So sorry to hear the news about your sister. I have been praying for her and your family during this time. Give her a big hug from me and tell her how so many are pulling for her here. I know its a difficult time, but lean on us and I hope soon news will be better.
__________________
Cindy
L/IDC, 1.2 cm, Stage 1, Her2+, ER+/PR+ at age 48
4/15/2008 Lumpectomy + sentinel node biopsy
Margins neg and Nodes neg (2 tested)
MUGA score 55 on 5/6/2008
Treatment starting 05/08/2008:
Chemo 4 cycles, 3 weeks apart with Taxotere & Cytoxan - Chemo - Done 7/24/2008!
Herceptin for 1 year
Radiation starting in 9/2008
MUGA score 61.9 on 9/04/2008
33 Rads with boost - Done 10/13/2008
MUGA score 58 on 12/01/2008
MUGA score 59 on 3/16/2009
Herceptin for 1 year - Done 4/27/2009
MUGA score 64 on 6/22/2009
All scans - NED 6/24/2009
MRI - NED 11/10/2009
All scans - Still NED 8/25/2011
Still NED 2017!
I am calling this my pink journey
Follow my journey into the pink at my blog here
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09-16-2008, 09:50 AM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: RHODE ISLAND
(Ed getting me a latte on 2nd Cancerversary Cruise 2008)
'BELIEVE': To accept as true or real, To have faith in, To presume
ALWAYS BELIEVE
Posts: 2,999
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Lol
Hahahaha!! Bad girl. Let us know how she is making out with her treatments, I have been thinking alot about you two. Try to behave Terri, I'll be checking up on you now. Looks like you need some guidance girlfriend. And yes, I am still laughing!!>>Believe51
__________________
9/7/06Husband 50yrs=StageIV IBC/HER2+,BoneMets10/06TaxotereX10,'H'1X wk,Zometa,Tamoxifen4/12/07Last Tax5/18/07Pet=Rapid Cell Activity,No Organ Mets,Lytic Lesions,Degeneration,Some Bone Repair5/07ChemoFail6/01/07Pleural Thoracentisis=Effusions,NoMalignantCells6/19/07+7/2/07DFCI
6/25/07BrainMRI=BrainMets,Many<9mm7/10/07WBR/PelvisRad37.5Gx15&Nutritionist8/19/07T/X9/20/07BrainMRI=2<2mm10/6/07Pet=BoneProgression
10/24/07ChemoFail11/9/07A/Cx10,EndTam12/7/07Faslodex12/10/07Muga7512/13/07BlasticLesions1/7/08BrainMRI=Clear4/1/08Pet=BoneImprovement,
NoProgression,Stable4/7/08BrainPerfect5/16/08Last A/C8/26/08BrainMets=10(<9mm)9/10/08Gamma10/30/08Met=5mm12/19/08Gamma5mets5
12/22/08SpinalMets1/14/09SpinalRads2/17/09BrainMRI=NoNewMets4/20/09BoneScan5/14/09Ixempra6/1/09BrainMRI=NumerousMets6/24/09DFCIw/DrBurstein6/26/09Continue
Ixempra/Faslodex/Zometa~TM now lower7/17/09Stop Ixempra By Choice9/21/09HOSPICE10/16/09Earned His Deserved Wings And Halo=37 Month Fight w/Stage 4 IBC, Her2+++,My Hero!!
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09-16-2008, 10:09 AM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: me & my three HANDSOME grandsons!!Jacksonville, Arkansas
Posts: 354
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I need something.. not sure what.. Got to keep my head together!! 
Sis had her port placed this morning. All good.
Thanks for trying to keep me together. That's a full time job lately!
__________________
Terri B.
46 yrs. young
Dx IDC 3/6/08
1.5 cm & .6 cm grade III, Stage IIA
es/pr- Her2+++, 9/9 richardson
Double Mast w/expanders 4-14-08
3/9 nodes positive.
additional excision rt breast 4-25-08
weekly T/H x 12 (6-2-08) Done!
FEC x4 (9-8-08) Last one 11-10-08!
Herceptin complete 8/10/09!!
33 RADS DONE 2/13/09!
rt. breast biopsy 3/20/09 .. B9!!
reconstruction complete!
DEEEEEEported on 5/19/10!!
almost 5 YEARS NED!!
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09-16-2008, 10:17 AM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: San Antonio, TX
Posts: 2,357
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Terri, she'll learn the most by watching you and asking how and why. She's so lucky to have you. If you will take care of yourself, she'll learn to do the same. Take 100 deep breaths and commit to doing your best for you and teach her how to do the same. One day and week at a time and you'll both be teaching others the same thing one day! Best wishes to you both for successful treatments. ma
__________________
MA in TX.
Grateful for each and every day....
Diag. 12/05 at age 60
Stage II, Grade 3, 4.5 cm primary tumor
ER/PR- Her2 +3 strongly positive
Her2 by FISH 7.7 amplified
vascular invasion
Ki67 20% borderline
Jan - March '06 Taxotere/Adriamycin X 3 to try to shrink tumor - it grew
April '06 Rt Modified Radical Mas, 7 of 9 nodes positive
April - Aug. '06 Herceptin/Taxol/Carboplatin X 8 (dose dense)
Sept - Dec. '06 Navelbine/Herceptin x 8 (dose dense)
Radiation & Herceptin Jan. 22 - March 1, 2007
Finished Herceptin Dec. 10 '08! One extra year.
Port removed August, 2012.
8 1/2 years since diagnosis! 5 1/2 Years NED!
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